Drywall installers hang, tape, mud, sand, and texture gypsum board for new construction, remodels, additions, and repairs. Clients include homeowners, general contractors, remodelers, and property managers. Invoices usually cover hanging, finishing, texturing, patch repair, and materials, billed by the sheet, by the square foot, or as a flat price per job.
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Most drywall work is priced per square foot of wall and ceiling area or per sheet hung, with finishing priced separately or bundled into a combined rate. New construction and large remodels are usually bid as a flat price based on square footage and finish level. Small repairs, patches, and water damage fixes are billed hourly or as a flat service fee with a minimum trip charge. Ceilings, high walls, stairwells, and 12-foot sheets cost more than standard 8-foot walls. Finish level (Level 3, 4, or 5) changes the labor price significantly. Texture matching, moisture-resistant or fire-rated board, and soundproofing products are priced as add-ons. Materials are either included in the per-square-foot rate or itemized with a markup of about 10 to 20 percent. Subcontractors working for GCs often bill by the sheet and may bill progress payments by phase: hang, tape, finish.
| Service | Priced | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Hang drywall only (labor) | per sq ft | $0.50-1.00 |
| Hang and finish, Level 4 (labor and materials) | per sq ft | $2.00-3.75 |
| Hanging by the sheet (4x8 or 4x12, labor only) | per sheet | $15-40 |
| Ceiling drywall installation (add-on) | per sq ft | $0.25-0.75 |
| Texture application (knockdown, orange peel, skip trowel) | per sq ft | $0.50-1.50 |
| Small patch or hole repair | per patch | $75-250 |
| Water damage section replacement and finish | per hour | $50-90 |
| Minimum service call | flat fee | $150-300 |
Typical US ranges. Rates vary by region, experience, and job size.
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hang 1/2" drywall, basement finish (walls and ceiling), 4x8 and 4x12 sheets | 1800 sq ft | $0.85 | $1,530.00 |
| Tape, mud, and sand to Level 4 finish, 3 coats | 1800 sq ft | $1.35 | $2,430.00 |
| Orange peel texture on ceilings | 650 sq ft | $0.75 | $487.50 |
| Drywall materials: 60 sheets, compound, tape, screws, corner bead | 1 lot | $1,650.00 | $1,650.00 |
| Patch and repair of existing wall at stair, texture match | 3 hours | $65.00 | $195.00 |
| Total | $6,292.50 | ||
Notes: Payment due within 14 days of invoice date. A deposit of $1,500 was received before work began and is deducted from the total. Price covers Level 4 finish ready for primer and paint. Painting is not included. A late fee of 1.5% per month applies to overdue balances. Accepted: check, ACH, and card.
Per-square-foot pricing is easy to dispute unless the invoice shows what was hung and which finish level (3, 4, or 5) was delivered.
1/2" standard, 5/8" Type X fire-rated, moisture-resistant, and mold-resistant boards cost different amounts, and building codes may require specific types in garages or between units.
Knockdown, orange peel, or smooth wall are priced differently and a clear description avoids arguments about what was agreed.
Clients and GCs want to know whether sheets, compound, tape, and corner bead are in your rate or billed on top.
Added closets, repairs after other trades cut into walls, or extra coats of mud should be listed with approval dates so they are not treated as part of the original price.
On bigger jobs, billing for hang, tape, and finish separately keeps cash flowing and shows what is complete.
Many states and cities require contractor license numbers on invoices and contracts, and GCs often ask for proof of insurance before paying subcontractors.
For homeowner jobs, a deposit of 25 to 50 percent is common on projects over a few thousand dollars, with the balance due on completion or within 7 to 14 days. Small repairs are often paid at the end of the visit. For GC and commercial work, expect progress billing by phase with net 15 to net 30 terms, and sometimes retainage of 5 to 10 percent held until project completion. Late fees of 1 to 1.5 percent per month are common if stated in advance, though limits on interest vary by state. Most installers accept checks, ACH, and cards, and may add a card fee only where local law allows it.
Hanging takes a day or two, but finishing takes several days because mud has to dry between coats. Invoice at hang completion and again at finish so you are not waiting a week or more for money after the sheets are up.
Level 5 skim coat for walls with gloss paint or strong lighting takes much more labor than Level 4. State the level on the quote and invoice, and charge more for a higher level.
Vaulted ceilings, stair walls, and rooms that need scaffolding or lifts take more time. Add a line item or higher rate rather than absorbing the extra labor.
Typical waste is 10 to 15 percent of sheets on complex layouts. If you bill materials at cost plus markup, base the count on sheets used, and keep supplier receipts to back it up.
Take photos of framing, other trades' work, and damage before you hang. This protects you if a client later blames you for cracks, nail pops, or uneven studs you did not cause.
Either works if it is clear. Per sheet is common for hanging-only subcontract work with GCs, since it is easy to count. Per square foot is more common for homeowners and for hang and finish combined work because it is easier to compare between bids.
Not as a separate line item in most cases. Drying time is built into your finishing rate and schedule. If a client delays access or you must make extra trips for coats, include the added trips in your price or as a trip charge.
Your invoice should cover your work, not the painter's. Agree on payment due at finish completion, and do not tie your payment to other trades. If a GC does so, note it in the subcontract and consider retainage terms in writing.
It depends on your state. Some states tax materials on construction contracts, some tax the full job, and some tax neither if you are installing as a contractor. Check with your state revenue department or a local accountant.
Send a reminder as soon as the due date passes, then follow up by phone. Many states give contractors lien rights, but strict notice deadlines apply, so check your state's rules early and keep your signed estimate, change orders, and photos.
Send a Drywall Installer estimate for approval, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.
Drywall Installer estimate template